Today’s charges against Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng signal a new low in Malaysian politics not seen since the disgraceful and outrageous prosecution of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim almost two decades ago.

However, coming in the wake of a protracted campaign of vilification and character assassination carried out by the administration of Dato’ Sri Najib Razak against my comrade, Guan Eng, this bout of selective prosecution and political persecution comes as no surprise.

These are the concerted actions of a man desperate to hold on to power at all costs, one who would choose to drag the nation through the mother of all scandals and ignominy rather than give up the post of Prime Minister.

Today’s prosecution of Guan Eng also caps a series of events over the week that first saw the sacking of Muhyiddin Yassin and Mukhriz Mahathir, and the suspension of Shafie Apdal from UMNO. This was followed by a media blitz against Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed and the continued rubbishing of the Citizens’ Declaration. In the meantime, a state mufti (not Selangor) has gone on record as labelling DAP members as “kafir harbi”. And now we find Lim Guan Eng dragged into court.

It is patently clear that the charges levelled against Guan Eng under Section 23 of the MACC Act and Section 165 of the Penal Code are politically motivated, vexatious and constitute a gross abuse of executive power. This is apart from the fact that despite the overwhelming evidence of corruption, money laundering and power abuse against Prime Minister Najib Razak, no serious and earnest investigation has been carried out against him, let alone any semblance of a criminal prosecution.

There is a line beyond which power becomes a tool of oppression and injustice. In prosecuting Guan Eng in the face of such exculpating evidence in his favour, Najib Razak has crossed that line. It is true, he has within his command all the organs of power, a power that is now virtually unchecked and uncheckable with the forced passage of the National Security Council Act. But he must remember that even dictators with unlimited power will eventually fall.

The Federal opposition must come together and remain focussed on our singular struggle to rid our nation of the scourge of corruption at the highest places, unshackled power abuse and kleptocracy unlimited.

Let us set aside all our past differences and prejudices and return to the drawing board. We need to forge a consensus, stronger than ever before, and build a solid bloc for the next general election.

Lest we forget, Guan Eng is innocent until proven guilty beyond the shadow of a doubt by a court of law. Let me reiterate that I not only choose to give him full benefit of the doubt but that I am convinced he is innocent of these charges. I am further convinced that if the proceedings are free from any kind of executive interference and the judiciary is not subject to any kind of pressure directly or indirectly, Guan Eng will be acquitted and fully vindicated.

The question of ‘stepping aside for the time being’ will arise if the person charged is in control of, or has influence over, the Prosecution.In this case, it is the exact OPPOSITE.Not only does the person charged not have any influence over the Prosecution at all, it is his political foes who have such influence.

A second scenario in which the question of ‘stepping aside’ can be meaningfully asked is where there exists a truly INDEPENDENT PROSECUTION.

We clearly don’t have one. The recent sudden change of the AG is a reminder of this fact. One of the outgoing MACC top officers also recently admitted that there have been political interferences.In our circumstances, therefore, the answer to the above question must be in the negative.In circumstances like ours, where it is his political foes who either have control or influence over prosecution, and if an elected representative has to step aside because he is charged, then the people’s ballots will have no meaning. Democracy can be easily defeated by those in power, through misusing prosecution powers. Those in power, and who are either in control of or have influence over prosecution, can at any time wipe out or weaken their major political enemies, when outcomes of prosecutions take months and years.

This is a clear political persecution case & Perak DAP is in full solidarity with Guan Eng.

What type of country do we want our children to grow up when those who gained benefits and donations amounting to billions of ringgit are not charged for corruption whilst those who gained no benefit are prosecuted for corruption.

BN can prosecute & persecute me but will not kill my passion to free Malaysia from corruption.

BN can victimize me but will not crush my spirit to free Malaysia from those who steal our children’s future.

BN can even humiliate me by unnecessary detaining me overnight but will not succeed in changing white to black and black to white, right cannot become wrong and wrong cannot become right.

BN will not break my party’s unity – we stand together as leaders and members to battle for reforms towards a better Malaysia with freedom, justice and democracy.

If BN feels that they can bend or break me by arresting me, they are wrong! I will die standing than live on bended knees.

A free Malaysia, a fair Malaysia, a prosperous Malaysia for all is worth fighting for!